There is $800,000 and 85 Kentucky Derby points at stake Sunday when a field of 12 3-year-olds heads to the post at Sunland Park in New Mexico for the 1 1/8-mile Sunland Derby. There are no standouts in this field, and whoever emerges as the victor will not only have won their first graded stakes, but will have virtually guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup for the Kentucky Derby with the 50 points that goes to the winner.

Trainer Dale Romans appears to have the strongest hand with a pair of colts who have been knocking on the door in top stakes competition.

Firing Line also did pretty well for himself in the Derby, and Endorsement would have been highly competitive had he not been injured. Last year produced an absolutely solid top 4: Hence, Conquest Mo Money, Hedge Fund, and Irap.

That being said, I don't see anyone particularly interesting going into this edition. Hopefully someone does something surprising.

Does this site have a moderator who can delete posts? Because we have been hit with several spams today, and I'd hate to think what sort of malware is waiting for the unwary who might click on one of those links.